Zoom The former DTM champ is running out of time to break into Formula One...

Gary Paffett has said that he was in the running to be named countryman Lewis Hamilton's McLaren team-mate for 2008.

The 26-year-old Briton, who has never raced in Formula One but was also among the contenders to drive for the aborted Prodrive outfit this year, told the British newspaper Kent on Sunday that the two setbacks have not dented his desire to join the grid in the future.

The DTM racer will test McLaren's newly launched 2008 car, the MP4-23, at Jerez on Monday.

"I was in with a shout for the second driver's seat for McLaren but Kovalainen got the nod instead," he confirmed.

"It is question about being at the right place at the right time to make the break into F1. At the moment I am in the right place but it is the wrong time," he added.

Paffett will remain in DTM, Germany's premier touring car championship that he won in 2005, this season.

"I want to keep racing and win the title again as well as my McLaren responsibilities," he said.

Paffett also predicted a tough second season for Hamilton.

"I think this year is going to be harder for him as he will have to deal with the expectation of winning," he said. "Last year no one really thought he could achieve what he did."

E.A.
Source GMM